5 hours Ago
Aston Villa pair Emiliano Martinez and Leon Bailey are the latest Premier League stars targeted for potential moves to Saudi Arabia. Securing World Cup-winning goalkeeper Martinez would be a significant coup for the Saudi Pro League, even though the 32-year-old has not consistently produced his best form this season. Martinez has won the Yashin Trophy for the past two years and was also named Fifa’s goalkeeper of the year in 2022, the year he won the World Cup with Argentina, and last year.
While the identities of the clubs interested in Martinez and Bailey are not yet clear, a Saudi source confirmed that the pair have been lined up for moves. Villa sold striker Jhon Duran to Saudi club Al-Nassr in January, having also sold Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad last summer to help comply with financial rules in the Premier League and Europe. It is anticipated that, regardless of whether the club qualifies for the Champions League, Villa will sell players this summer to help juggle financial rules while trying to improve the squad.
Martinez is one of Villa’s highest earners. Rivals, at home and in Europe, believe the club may feel the time is right to listen to offers for one of their star players. Having signed in a deal worth up to £20million in 2020, Martinez has been one of Villa’s most important players and was vital in the club’s qualification for this season’s Champions League.
Martinez’s initial contract ran until last summer, but the Argentine signed an extension that is due to expire in 2029 and has made him one of Villa’s highest earners. While Martinez has still produced superb performances this campaign, notably in the 1-0 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, he has been at fault for some important goals − most recently against Paris St-Germain at Villa Park, Manchester City and in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace. It remains to be seen whether or not Villa will accept a big Saudi bid for Martinez, but there have been indications that the club has been planning for his potential departure.
Reports in Spain have claimed that Villa are among the clubs tracking Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, whose contract is said to contain a £21m release clause. Villa are expected to listen to offers for Bailey this summer after the winger fell down manager Unai Emery’s pecking order. Bailey has not started for Villa since the victory at Brentford on March 8, although the Jamaica international has nursed an injury and made a substitute appearance in the semi-final defeat to Palace at Wembley last weekend.
Villa signed Bailey for £25 million in 2021 on an initial contract that ran until this summer, before the winger signed an extension through to 2027 with the option of a further year..
